Fiber optic connector and an associated method of fabrication

ABSTRACT

The fiber optic connector includes a crimp body defining a longitudinal bore extending between the first and second opposed ends of the crimp body. The fiber optic connector also includes a cylindrical shroud defining an internal bore in which a ferrule assembly is disposed. The internal bore extends longitudinally between the first and second opposed ends of the shroud. The first end of the shroud is connected to the second end of the crimp body such that the internal bore of the shroud opens into the longitudinal bore of the crimp body. The crimp body is preferably formed of a metal, while the shroud is preferably formed of a plastic material such that the first end of the shroud can be ultrasonically welded to the second end of the crimp body. In order to further secure the crimp body and the shroud, the second end of the crimp body can include a lip that extends radially outward to engage the first end of the shroud. The second end of the crimp body can also include a textured surface, such as a knurled surface, for further engaging the first end of the shroud. Additionally, the second end of the crimp body can define a circumferentially extending groove, typically positioned between the radially extending lip and the textured surface, for interlocking the crimp body and the shroud following ultrasonic welding.

This Appln is a Division of application No. 08/829,582, filed Mar. 31,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,804.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to optical fiber connectors andassociated methods of fabrication and, more particularly, to compactfiber optic connectors adapted for automated assembly and theirassociated methods of fabrication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the ever increasing demand for optical fibers and, therefore, fiberoptic connectors, more cost effective designs of connectors are beingsought as well as more efficient methods of producing them. Preferably,the new connector designs must be compatible with automated productionmethods in order to minimize costs and increase the supply of connectorsin order to meet the ever increasing demand. Additionally, because thespace which is available for the fiber optic cable and connectors isusually limited, the size of the connectors should be minimized to theextent possible while maintaining strength and durability necessary tosurvive the frequent connects and disconnects from panels and otherconnectors.

Consequently, a number of optical fiber connectors have been developedin an attempt to meet these design considerations but significantimprovement in connector design remains to be realized. For example,three well-known types of fiber optic connectors are the ST ("ST" is atrademark of AT&T), SC, and FC connectors. The ST connector incorporatesa bayonet-style fastener which includes a coupling having one or moreoutwardly extending projections and a rotatable female socket. Thefemale socket has a spiral slot for receiving the projections. The SCtype connector has a rectangular cross-section but has componentssimilar to the ST connector, including a ferrule, a collar, a spring, acrimp ring, and a boot. The FC connector has a circular shell similar tothe ST connector. The FC also includes a ferrule, a ferrule collar, aspring, a shell, a crimp ring, and an outer housing.

Examples of these three types of connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,321,784 to Cubukciyan et al. Cubukciyan et al. is directed to asystem for manufacturing a variety of fiber optic connectors which arecompatible with existing connector formats, including FC, SC, and STpush-pull connectors. The system includes a connector subassembly whichis constructed of components common to the FC, SC, and ST connectordesigns. The connector subassembly includes a ferrule and ferrule collarcontained in a connector body, a spring biasing the collar toward theferrule, a crimp ring for securing the strength members of the fiberoptic cable to the connector body, and a boot for strain relief at thecrimp location. Several different connector shells are provided for eachof the connector formats or types (i.e., FC, SC and ST) and the interiorof the shells are adapted to be attached to the single connector body.The Cubukciyan patent discloses that all of the parts in the connectorsubassembly snap together. While the snap-together feature may minimizeparts, it may not result in a rugged, durable connector, especially ifthe key parts such as the crimp body and housing are made of plastic.

An early FC type connector manufactured by Siecor Corp. of Hickory,N.C., the assignee of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. Theconnector 10 includes, a crimp body 11, a spring 12, a ferrule assembly13, a coupling nut 14, a bushing 15, and a keying ring 16. The crimpbody and the bushing must be milled on a CNC machine which is relativelycostly. Additionally, the method of assembly of this connector is notsusceptible to automation because the parts cannot be assembled in atop-down or bottom-up fashion. That is, the parts cannot be assembled ina successive fashion in one direction, e.g. by stacking, so that theassembly of this FC connector is not amenable to automated assembly.

A more recent version of the FC connector manufactured by Siecor Corp.is shown in FIG. 2A. This connector includes an extended crimp body 35,a coupling nut 36, a ferrule assembly 37, an outer clip 38, and an innerclip 39. The ferrule assembly is retained in the crimp body by the innerclip 39 while the coupling nut is retained on the extended crimp bodybetween a collar on the extended crimp body and the outer clip 38.

Yet another version of an FC type connector manufactured by Siecor Corp.is shown in FIG. 2B. This connector includes a ferrule assembly 20, aninner clip 21, a spring 22, an extended crimp body 23 having a first end24 and a second end 25, a coupling nut 26, an outer "C" clip (notshown), and a fiber guide (lead in) tube 28. The ferrule assembly 20 isheld inside of the extended crimp body 23 by the inner clip 21 while thecoupling nut 26 is slidably mounted on the extended crimp body betweenthe outer "C" clip mounted on the first end 24 of the crimp body and anoutwardly extending collar 30 disposed near the second end 25 of theextended crimp body. The particular features of the extended crimp body,specifically the key 31 disposed on the extended crimp body between thesecond end and the collar as well as one or more notches 33 on theextended crimp body near the first end, require that the crimp body bemanufactured on a CNC machine which is more costly and time consumingthan parts manufactured on a screw machine having multiple spindles formanufacturing multiple parts at one time. Additionally, because innerand outer clips are used to assemble the ferrule assembly within theextended crimp body and the extended crimp body within the coupling nut,this connector cannot be assembled in bottom-up or top-down fashion.

While more recent connector designs may have less components that theearly designs, none of the above designs provide a durable fiber opticconnector capable of fully automated assembly. Since large numbers offiber optic connectors are manufactured every day, the inefficienciescreated by assembly processes that are less than fully automated canquickly result in significantly increased fabrication times andfabrication costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved fiber optic connector.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide afiber optic connector that is more compact than conventional connectors,but that provides the necessary strength and durability.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fiber opticconnector that can be fabricated inexpensively and in fully automatedmanner.

It is a corresponding object of the present invention to provide animproved method for fabricating fiber optic connectors.

These and other objects are provided, according to the presentinvention, by a compact fiber optic connector that is capable of beingmanufactured and assembled in fully automated fashion as well as thecorresponding method for fabricating the fiber optic connector. Thefiber optic connector includes a crimp body defining a longitudinal boreextending between the first and second opposed ends of the crimp body.The fiber optic connector also includes a cylindrical shroud defining aninternal bore extending longitudinally between the first and secondopposed ends of the shroud. According to the present invention, thefirst end of the shroud is connected to the second end of the crimp bodysuch that the internal bore of the shroud opens into the longitudinalbore of the crimp body. In this regard, the crimp body is preferablyformed of a metal, while the shroud is preferably formed of a plasticmaterial and, more preferably, a thermoplastic material such that thefirst end of the shroud can be ultrasonically welded to the second endof the crimp body, thereby coupling the crimp body and the shroud in anefficient and secure manner.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the second end of the crimpbody includes a lip that extends radially outward to engage the firstend of the shroud. The radially extending lip of the second end of thecrimp body may be tapered to facilitate sliding the first end of theshroud over the second end of the crimp body. The second end of thecrimp body can also include a textured surface, such as a knurledsurface, for securely engaging the first end of the shroud. Further, thesecond end of the crimp body can define a circumferentially extendinggroove, typically positioned between the radially extending lip and thetextured surface. According to this embodiment, the circumferentiallyextending groove serves to further interlock the crimp body and theshroud following ultrasonic welding which causes a portion of the firstend of the shroud to extend into the groove and be engaged therein.

The fiber optic connector can also include a ferrule assembly having alengthwise extending ferrule body and a ferrule holder attached to oneend of the ferrule body and extending rearwardly therefrom. The ferruleholder includes a collar, a tapered section rearward of the collar, anda cylindrical tube rearward of the tapered section. The collar of theferrule holder also preferably defines a slot. Correspondingly, theshroud preferably includes a key that extends radially into the internalbore for engaging the slot defined by the collar of the ferrule holder,thereby preventing relative rotation between the shroud and the ferruleholder. The shroud also preferably includes a ring extending radiallyinto the internal bore for retaining the collar of the ferrule holderbetween the shroud ring and the second end of the crimp body.

The ferrule body and the attached ferrule holder each define alengthwise extending bore. As such, an optical fiber can be insertedthrough the longitudinal bore of the crimp body and can be extendedthrough the lengthwise extending bores of the ferrule holder and theferrule body. The optical fiber can thereby be exposed through the firstend of the ferrule body in preparation for subsequent connection toanother optical fiber. A lead in tube having first and second opposedends may be inserted into the longitudinal bore of the first end of thecrimp body to facilitate the insertion of the optical fiber into thebore of the ferrule body. The lead in tube is preferably flared at oneof the ends so that the optical fiber can be more easily inserted intothe lead in tube.

Both the crimp body and the shroud can also include respective outwardlyextending collars of a predetermined diameter. In addition, the fiberoptic connector can include a coupling nut. The coupling nut defines alengthwise extending bore having a interior diameter that is less thanthe respective predetermined diameters of the collars of the crimp bodyand the shroud. As a result, the coupling nut can be slidably mountedupon the shroud between the collar of the shroud and the collar of thecrimp body.

As a result of the construction of the fiber optic connector of thepresent invention, the length of the fiber optic connector is less thanconventional fiber optic connectors. However, even though the fiberoptic connector is more compact, the strength and durability of thefiber optic connector is comparable to the strength and durability ofconventional fiber optic connectors and exceeds the demands of most, ifnot all, connector applications.

As a result of the unique design of the fiber optic connector, the fiberoptic connector can also be assembled in a more efficient manner thanconventional connectors. For example, the fiber optic connector of thepresent invention can be assembled from one end by mounting the shroudin an assembly fixture such that the first end of the shroud is exposedand by thereafter placing the other components of the fiber opticconnector either about the first end of the shroud or into the first endof the internal bore of the shroud.

Initially, the ferrule assembly is inserted into the first end of theinternal bore of the shroud and is rotated relative to the shroud sothat the slot defined by the collar of the ferrule assembly interlockswith the key extending radially into the internal bore of the shroud,thereby preventing further relative rotation of the ferrule assembly andthe shroud. A spring is then placed over the ferrule assembly and insideof the first end of the internal bore of the shroud. A coupling nut isthereafter placed over the first end of the shroud and the second end ofthe crimp body is then aligned with the first end of the shroud. Oncethe second end of the crimp body has been brought into contact with thefirst end of the shroud, the second end of the crimp body and the firstend of the shroud can be connected such that the ferrule assembly, thespring and coupling nut are retained by the resulting fiber opticconnector.

In the advantageous embodiment in which the crimp body is formed of ametal material and the shroud is formed of a plastic and, morepreferably, a thermoplastic material, the second end of the crimp bodycan be ultrasonically welded to the first end of the shroud. As aresult, the fabrication process of the present invention securelyconnects the crimp body and the shroud in an efficient and repeatablemanner without requiring the various components of fiber optic connectorto include threads, bosses, clips, and other similar mechanical couplingfeatures, thereby reducing the number of parts that must be milled on aCNC machine. Preferably, the shroud and the crimp body areultrasonically welded until the first end of the shroud and the secondend of the crimp body overlap by a predetermined distance. Thepredetermined overlap distance is advantageously defined as thelongitudinal distance between the outwardly extending collar of thecrimp body and the second end of the crimp body.

By assembling the fiber optic connector from one end, the fiber opticconnector is fabricated more efficiently. In addition, the assembly andmanufacture of the fiber optic can be readily automated to furtherincrease fabrication efficiency. Moreover, by ultrasonically welding thecrimp body and the shroud, the crimp body and the shroud are securelyconnected in a manner which retains the other components of the fiberoptic connector, namely, the ferrule assembly, the spring and thecoupling nut, in their proper relative positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an FC connector manufacturedand sold by Siecor Corporation illustrating the various components ofthe connector, including the ferrule assembly, an inner clip, a spring,an extended crimp body, a coupling nut, and an outer clip and the orderand direction of the assembly of the components.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional perspective view of an FC connectormanufactured and sold by Siecor Corporation illustrating the variouscomponents of the connector, including a ferrule assembly, a spring, anextended crimp body, and a coupling nut and the order and direction ofthe assembly of the components.

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of another version of the FCconnector shown in FIG. 2A illustrating the various components of theconnector, including a ferrule assembly, an extended crimp body, acoupling nut, and inner and outer clips.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an opticalfiber connector of the present invention illustrating the variouscomponents of the connector.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of theconnector of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 which illustrates theconnection of the various components.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the shroud shown in FIG. 3illustrating the collar, inner lip, and key.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional side view of the crimp body shown in FIG. 3illustrating the lip, groove and textured surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the ultrasonic welding machineused to assemble one embodiment of the optical fiber connector of thepresent invention illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view of the ultrasonic welding machineof FIG. 4 that illustrates one embodiment of the method of assemblingthe fiber optic connector of the present invention shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodimentof the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an optical fiber connector 45 according to oneembodiment of the present invention is illustrated in an explodedperspective view. While the connector of the present invention will bedescribed and illustrated in conjunction with an FC type connector, theconnector can be of other types, such as the SC connector, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Theoptical fiber connector includes a shroud 46, a ferrule assembly 66, aspring 82, a coupling nut 84, a crimp body 92, and a lead in tube 108.Although not shown, the fiber optic connector can be mounted on the endportion of an optical fiber that extends through the lead in tube andthe ferrule assembly for subsequent connection to another fiber opticconnector. The lead in tube 108 having first and second opposed ends maybe inserted into the longitudinal bore of the first end of the crimpbody 96 to facilitate the insertion of the optical fiber into the boreof the ferrule body 68. The lead in tube 108 is preferably flared at oneof the ends so that the optical fiber can be more easily inserted intothe lead in tube, especially when an automated assembly process is usedto assembly the connector 45.

The longitudinally extending shroud 46 has an outer surface 56 and aninner surface 58 extending between first and second opposed ends 60, 62,respectively. The shroud is preferably cylindrical in shape. The innersurface of the shroud defines a bore and includes a ring 52 extendinginto the bore between the first and second ends of the shroud. As shownmore clearly in FIG. 3B, the inner surface of the shroud may alsoinclude an inwardly extending key 54 for engaging a slot 78 on theferrule assembly 66 thereby preventing the ferrule assembly fromrotating relative to the shroud. In a preferred embodiment, a connectoralignment key 48 also extends outwardly from the outer surface 56 of theshroud. The outer surface 56 of the shroud includes an outwardlyextending circumferential collar 50. The shroud is preferably molded orformed of a thermoplastic material, such as ULTEM ("ULTEM" is aregistered trademark of General Electric) plastic so that a portion ofthe shroud can be re-melted for attachment to the crimp body asdescribed further hereinbelow.

The connector also includes a ferrule assembly 66. The ferrule assemblyincludes a lengthwise extending ferrule body 68, preferably made ofzirconia, having a first end 70 and a second end 72. The ferruleassembly further includes a ferrule holder 74 disposed on one of theends of the ferrule body so as to extend rearwardly therefrom. Theholder includes a collar 76, a tapered section 80 adjacent or rearwardof the collar, and a cylindrical tube 79 adjacent or rearward of thetapered section. The ferrule holder is connected to one of the ends ofthe ferrule body, preferably by an epoxy resin or other suitable means,so that the collar 76 is rearward of the second end 72 of the ferrulebody 68.

The ferrule assembly is disposed in the shroud so that the ferrule body68 extends through the inwardly extending ring 52 of the shroud to allowthe ferrule holder collar 76 of the ferrule assembly 66 to contact thering 52 thereby retaining the ferrule assembly within the connector. Ina preferred embodiment, the collar includes a single slot 78, althoughthe collar can include more than one slot if desired. The slot of thecollar is adapted to mate with the inwardly extending key 54 of theshroud 46 in order to prevent the ferrule assembly from rotatingrelative to the shroud. As explained below, during the assembly of theconnector components, the ferrule assembly is rotated until the inwardlyextending key 54 of the shroud 46 engages the slot 78 of the ferruleholder collar 76.

The connector also generally includes a spring 82 which is disposed overthe cylindrical tube 79 of the ferrule holder 74. The diameter of thespring is less than the diameter of the first end 60 of the shroud 46 sothat the spring fits inside of the first end of the shroud. The springurges the ferrule assembly 66 against the ring 52 of the shroud so thatthe ferrule body 68 extends through the second end of the shroud so asto be in a position to cooperatively engage a ferrule body of a secondconnector.

A coupling nut 84 defining a lengthwise extending bore 86 and havingfirst and second opposed ends 87, 88 is mounted upon the shroud 46. Thebore of the coupling nut has a stepped diameter with both insidediameters 89, 90 of the coupling being slightly greater than the outsidediameter 61 of the shroud so that the coupling nut is slidably mountedover the first end 60 of the shroud. The inside diameter 89 of the firstend 87 of the coupling nut is sized so that the first end of the nutcontacts the collar 50 of the shroud thereby retaining the coupling nuton the first end of the shroud. The inside diameter 90 of the second end88 of the coupling nut is larger, however, so that the second end of thecoupling nut extends over the collar 50 for mating with a fiber opticconnector coupler (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the insidesurface 86 of the coupling nut is threaded so that the coupling nut canengage the connector coupler. The coupling nut is preferably made of ametal for maximum strength and durability. However, due to its simpledesign, the coupling nut may also be fabricated out of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment shown more clearly in FIG. 3A, the shroud 46,ferrule assembly 66, spring 82, and coupling nut 84 are held in theirrespective positions by a crimp body 92 which includes a first end 96and a second end 98. Preferably, the crimp body defines a longitudinalbore 94 for receiving an optical fiber (not shown). The crimp body issecurely connected to the shroud by ultrasonic welding or other suitablemeans. Ultrasonic welding essentially involves heating one or both partsto be welded together using the friction generated by vibration of theparts against each other. As shown in FIG. 3A, the second end 98 of thecrimp body 92 is connected, such as by ultrasonic welding, to the firstend 60 of the shroud 46. A circumferential collar 100 extends radiallyoutwardly from a medial portion of the crimp body between the first andsecond ends. The diameter 95 of the crimp body collar is less than theinside diameter 90 of the second end 88 of the coupling nut and slightlygreater than the inside diameter 89 (FIG. 3) of the first end 87 of thecoupling nut. Additionally, the diameter of the crimp body collar may beslightly greater than outside diameter 61 of the shroud so that thefirst end 60 of the shroud contacts the collar 100 during the ultrasonicwelding operation illustrated in FIG. 5 and so that the coupling nut isslidably retained on the shroud 46.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3C, a lip 102 is disposedon the second end 98 of the crimp body 92 to facilitate anchoring thefirst end 60 of the shroud to the second end 98 of the crimp body.Preferably, the lip extends radially outward and is tapered in order tofacilitate the insertion of the shroud over the second end of the crimpbody. The crimp body may further include a textured or raised surface104 on the second end 98 which provides a suitable surface for anchoringthe first end 60 of the shroud on the second end of the crimp body. In apreferred embodiment, the raised surface is knurled, rough or uneven tofurther enhance the bond between the shroud 46 and the crimp body 92.The second end of the crimp body can also define a circumferentiallyextending groove 103 positioned between the lip and the texturedsurface. As described below, the groove provides an additional featurefor interlocking the first end of the shroud with the second end of thecrimp body. The crimp body may also include a threaded portion 106 onthe first end 96. As with the coupling nut 84, the crimp body ispreferably made of metal. The crimp body's simple design also allows thecrimp body to be mass produced on a screw machine instead of a CNCmachine as required with the crimp body of prior connectors.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the connector of the present invention isdesigned to be fully assembled by automation, as opposed to handassembly required by many of the prior art connectors, because thevarious components may be assembled in a bottom-up fashion. That is, theshroud 46, ferrule assembly 66, spring 82, coupling nut 84, crimp body92 are assembled in successive fashion by simply stacking the partsbeginning with the shroud. The assembly process is completed by weldingthe crimp body onto the shroud, as described further hereinbelow, whicheliminates the additional parts or milled features, such as clips, keys,or bosses used to assemble conventional connectors. The assembly processusing ultrasonic welding allows the use of a molded plastic shroud,thereby eliminating the more expensive metal shroud which must be milleda CNC machine because of the keys and other features. Thus, the cost ofthe connector is minimized by incorporating the keys 48, 54 and innercollar 52 on the molded plastic and not on the metal crimp body 92.

More specifically, the preferred method of assembly begins by placingthe second end 62 of the shroud 46 in the bottom holder of an ultrasonicwelding machine 110 such as a Branson 901 Series ultrasonic weldingmachine shown in FIG. 4. The second end 72 of the ferrule assembly 66 isplaced in the internal bore of the shroud so that the collar 76 of theferrule assembly contacts the inner ring 52 of the shroud. The ferruleassembly or the shroud may be rotated within the bore so that the slot78 in the collar 76 of the ferrule assembly mates with the inwardlyextending key 54 of the shroud. The spring 82 is then placed over thefirst end 70 of the ferrule assembly and inside of the bore of theshroud. The second end 88 of the coupling nut 84 is then placed over thefirst end 60 of the shroud. If not performed earlier, the first end 96of the crimp body 92 is then inserted into the top portion of theultrasonic welding machine where it is held partially inside of anorifice by a vacuum.

Once the components have been stacked, the machine is then activated sothat an arm 114, including a horizontal ring on the end, swings over andclamps down on the coupling nut thereby holding the coupling nut andshroud in position while the second end 98 of the crimp body 92 islowered into contact with the first end 60 of the shroud during thewelding process. Using the clamp and coupling nut to hold the shroud inplace prevents damaging, including forming flash, on the second end ofthe shroud during the welding process. The welding process continuesuntil the second end of the crimp body has been inserted a predetermineddistance, such as about 1 to 5 mm, into the shroud. In one advantageousembodiment, the predetermined distance is equal to the longitudinaldistance between the front of the second end 98 of the crimp body andthe crimp body collar 100 such that the crimp body collar serves as astop during the welding process. In a preferred embodiment, the weldingprocess terminates prior to the second end of the crimp body contactingthe crimp body collar; however, the horn 112 of the welding machinecontinues to advance until the first end of the shroud contacts thecrimp body collar. The ultrasonic welding machine may also be set toweld the crimp body onto the shroud for a predetermined period of time.

The cross-section of the assembled fiber optic connector, FIG. 3A,illustrates the bond between the first end 60 of the shroud 46 and thesecond end 98 of the crimp body 92. The rapid vibration of theultrasonic welding operation heats and softens the first end of theshroud, preferably made of ULTEM thermoplastic, so that the first end ofthe shroud deforms over the tapered lip 102 of the crimp body and theraised area 104 of the crimp body. The thermoplastic material of theshroud may fill, partially or completely, the groove 103 formed betweenthe lip and the raised area thereby providing additional anchoring ofthe shroud to the crimp body.

Once the shroud and the crimp body are connected, the spring 82 is heldwithin the shroud and urges the ferrule assembly 66 against the ring 52of the shroud. The coupling nut 84 is also slidably mounted on theshroud between the collar 50 of the shroud and the collar 100 of thecrimp body thereby allowing the coupling nut to be threaded onto the FCconnector coupler (not shown). The preferred embodiment of the connectorof the present invention has fewer, smaller, and less detailed partsthan prior connectors, and is, therefore, more compact than previousdesigns. For example, the crimp body of the present invention is shorterand has milled features found on the crimp bodies of conventionalconnectors. While the connector of the present invention is smaller andshorter than other conventional connectors, the connector is just asdurable and strong as conventional connectors. Additionally, featuressuch as keys which must be milled if included in metal parts, may bemolded on the plastic shroud thereby reducing the connector's cost.

As described above, a fiber optic connector of the present invention canbe readily fabricated and completely assembled by automation. Inparticular, the coupling nut 84 and the crimp body 92 can be easilyfabricated on a screw machine instead of a slower and more expensive CNCmachine because these components have no milled features. Likewise, theferrule assembly may be fabricated using a screw machine because theferrule holder 74 has only one milled feature (slot 78). The shroud 46,including all of its features may be molded, preferably ofthermoplastic. The configuration of the components also allows theconnector of the present invention to be assembled in a bottom-upfashion as shown in FIG. 5 so that the process can be fully automated.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,the terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forthe purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth inthe following claims.

That which is claimed:
 1. A crimp body for mounting upon an end portionof an optical fiber, the crimp body comprising:a metallic crimp bodydefining a longitudinal bore for receiving the end portion of theoptical fiber, said metallic crimp body extending between first andsecond opposed ends, wherein the second end of said crimp body defines acircumferentially extending groove and a textured portion, proximate thecircumferentially extending groove, for securely engaging an end portionof a shroud.
 2. A crimp body of claim 1 wherein the second end of thecrimp body comprises a radially extending lip to engage the end portionof the shroud.
 3. A crimp body of claim 1 wherein the radially extendinglip of the second end of the crimp body is tapered to facilitatemounting the end portion of the shroud upon the second end of the crimpbody.
 4. A crimp body of claim 1 wherein the textured portion of thecrimp body is knurled for securely engaging the end portion of theshroud.
 5. A shroud adapted to mount upon an end portion of a crimp bodyof a fiber optic connector, wherein the end portion of the crimp bodyhas a predetermined outer diameter, the shroud comprising:a shroud bodyformed of a thermoplastic material and extending lengthwise betweenfirst and second opposed ends, said shroud body defining an internalbore for receiving a ferrule assembly, wherein the internal bore definedby said shroud body has a predetermined inner diameter at the first endthereof that is less than the predetermined outer diameter of the endportion of the crimp body upon which the shroud is mounted.
 6. A shroudof claim 5 further comprising a ring extending radially into theinternal bore for limiting lengthwise movement of the ferrule assembly.7. A shroud of claim 5 further comprising a key extending radially intothe internal bore for engaging a portion of the ferrule assembly,thereby preventing relative rotation between the shroud and the ferruleassembly.
 8. A shroud of claim 5 further comprising a collar extendingradially outward from a medial portion of the shroud body.